Wayne Bank and Indiana University East are pleased to announce the annual ATHENA Leadership Award® Dinner to be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 21, 2018, at Forest Hills Country Club, located at 2169 South 23rd St. in Richmond, Ind.

The event will recognize women leaders who motivate, inspire and create positive change in the community. Previous award recipients include Mary Jo Clark, Jackie Carberry, Kim Poinsett and Angie Dickman.

Nominations are now being accepted for this year’s ATHENA Leadership Award® which will be presented at the dinner to an exemplary leader who has achieved excellence in their business or profession, served the community in a meaningful way and, most importantly, actively assisted women to achieve their full leadership potential.

New this year, the community is also invited to submit nominations for the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award. The ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award actively supports and celebrates the ATHENA mission of supporting, developing and honoring women leaders, inspiring women to achieve their full potential—creating balance in leadership worldwide.

ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Nominees are 18-35 years age. Nominees are emerging women leaders who demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession.  Provides valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in their community. Clearly serves as a role model for young women both personally and professionally.

Nomination forms are available at waynecoathena.com.

Founded in 1982, ATHENA International is a women’s leadership organization that supports, develops and honors women leaders through the programs it administers. ATHENA’s flagship program, the ATHENA Leadership Award® Program, has honored over 6,250 women leaders from hundreds of cities and eight countries since its inception. The program is facilitated locally by Wayne Bank and Indiana University East, licensed ATHENA host organizations. Nominations are sought throughout the community and recipients are selected by a diverse group of community leaders based on the criteria above.

ATHENA Leadership Award® recipients hail from all professional sectors. The award’s rich history, international scope and emphasis on mentorship make this award unique and amongst the most prestigious leadership awards one can receive.

Wayne Bank and IU East are honored to, once again, bring this award to Wayne County. ATHENA Leadership Award® recipients are presented a hand-cast, bronze and crystal sculpture that symbolizes the strength, courage and wisdom of ATHENA recipients. The Wayne County recipient will be invited to join ATHENA Leadership Award Recipients and other leaders at a national ATHENA International Women’s Leadership conference.

Wayne Bank and IU East believe in the values underlying ATHENA International’s philosophy of incorporating the talent and expertise of women into the leadership of our businesses, our communities and our government. Reflective of a quote attributed to Plato, “What is honored in a country will be cultivated there,” the ATHENA Leadership Award® honors and illuminates the leaders and leadership styles of individuals others would emulate.

ATHENA International is nationally underwritten by KMPG. Local sponsorship is provided by Wayne Bank and Indiana University East. Event proceeds will equally benefit the Women’s Fund of Wayne County and Girls, Inc.

Nominations for the ATHENA Leadership Award® and the ATHENA Young Professional Award will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Friday, April 27.

To RSVP, visit waynecoathena.com or contact JoAnn Spurlock, assistant vice president at Wayne Bank, at (765) 259-0209 or jspurlock@waynebnk.com or Paula Kay King, director of Gift Development at IU East, at (765) 973-8331 or pkayking@iue.edu.